NUFORC Sighting 20778

Occurred: 2001-12-12 18:07 Local
Reported: 2001-12-12 12:55 Pacific
Duration: 30 secs
No of observers: 1

Location: Carlisle (UK/England), , United Kingdom

Shape: Unknown
Characteristics: Lights on object, Aura or haze around object, Left a trail

Large bright object, with tear shaped aura dissapeared after being observed travelling at high speed.

I was watching the night sky in Northern Britain. My attention was drawn to a large, bright object in the western sky, much brighter than Jupiter or Mars appeared. It was moving quickly from west to east. I had a pair of binoculars with me, and I focussed on the object. It resolved into a bright disc, with a large teardrop shaped aura around it. If it were an aircraft, I would estimate it's altitude to be approx 20.000 ft, and speed to be about Mach 3 (relative to an object travelling at that altitude). I observed it for about 30 secs before it abruptly disappeared. I coluld see no reason for its disappearance.

The ground temperature was -2c, and the sky clear and bright, no cloud.

I have observed an unusually large number of meteorites over the last 2/7, about 30/hour.

I am a former military pilot, and a recently retired police officer.

I have never sighted anything like this before, and I often study the night sky.

Posted 2002-01-11